By Roger Lee The Journal Scene

Two teams that lost a lot of star power to graduation will face off in Mt. Pleasant Friday.Ashley Ridge travels across The Cooper this week to take on Wando.The series between the teams has been very competitive and there is no reason to think this year’s game will be any different. Last year, Ashley Ridge led the Warriors 13-10 going into the final quarter, but then Wando rallied for a 31-13 win. The year before, the Swamp Foxes had victory in sight before Wando picked off a pass and drove for a late score to earn a 17-13 win.Ashley Ridge lost the majority of its starting skills players on offense, including the entire backfield, to graduation. For Wando, all-state quarterback Christian Hart and North-South wide receiver Rudder Brown were among the players to graduate.However, Swamp Fox coach Kenny Walker says Wando still has talent.“Offensively they have a very good tailback and they get to the perimeter quickly,” Walker said. “They will keep us honest with some inside runs but they try and utilize their speed. Defensively, they are multiple and blitz from everywhere so we will have to be able to pick that up when they decide to do it.”Ashley Ridge used a variety of players at quarterback last week and while the team’s inexperience at the position showed, the Swamp Foxes did move the ball. Ashley Ridge finished with 91 passing yards in the game but it sounds like the Swamp Foxes will face more pressure this week. Ashley Ridge had 86 rushing yards in its 56-28 loss to Goose Creek in Week 1.The Swamp Foxes had 233 return yards on kickoffs so if the Warriors aren’t prepared on special teams it could cost them.Wando is coming off a 17-14 loss to Beaufort last week, but earned a 39-12 victory over James Island the week before.Warrior QB Dalton Stubbs has proven to be a dual threat. He rushed for 65 yards against Beaufort while also completing 9 of 18 pass attempts for 82 yards.Junior Kenning Waring is the tailback Walker is concerned about containing. A state champ in the 100-meter dash, he rushed for three touchdowns against James Island.The Warriors also have strong leadership on the offensive line in University of Florida commit Nolan Kelleher.Wando only returned two starters on defense so the Swamp Foxes will look to take advantage of a largely untested defensive group.The Ashley Ridge defense was led last week by senior linebacker Tyler Moore and senior defensive back Kendall Felder. Moore had 17 tackles and Felder had 14 tackles and forced two fumbles. Junior linebacker Dylan Mariucci finished with 11 tackles.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com

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